More from the Globe and Mail regarding a blood test to detect HPV 16-linked oral cancer. A new study indicates that a simple blood test, for HPV 16 antibodies, can help doctors detect the disease years before symptoms appear. The study also highlights that oral cancers are more common in men than women, making a strong case for vaccinating boys as well as girls against HPV. Currently, due to fiscal constraints, only girls in grades 4-8 are eligible for publicly funded HPV vaccine. Parents of boys can buy the vaccine for $400-$500 and have their family doctor administer it.

I’m getting my 3 younger girls vaccinated. It’s a simple step to help eliminate a very common virus (2/3 of Canadians carry at least one strand of the HPV virus) that has devastating consequences if it progresses to cancer.